Battling Bulls have potential
BELIEF: SCRUM COACH BACKS THE TEAM’S YOUNGSTERS
Blue Bulls scrum coach Daan Human sees plenty of talent and depth at Loftus Versfeld, even though the team is struggling to stay out of the relegation play-offs in this year’s Currie Cup.
Last weekend’s shock home defeat to Griquas left the Blue Bulls at the bottom of the log with just one win from four games.
With so many members of their impressive Super Rugby squad leaving Pretoria and their presumed replacements struggling in the Currie Cup, 2020 is looking like a daunting year for the union, but Human is optimistic.
“The nice thing is I can go from the U-19s and then to the U-21s and then to the seniors and the system is exactly the same right through, so everyone understands it.
“Then it comes down to just coaching the individuals, but there is so much depth here.
“People say the lock cupboard is empty, but youngsters like Adri Smit and Ruan Nortje are unbelievable to work with. Next year I promise you they’ll be ready.
“So I’m not too worried. Yes, it will be a hard process, just look at the Reds in Super Rugby this year.
“Yes, it was tough for them but there are some unbelievable players there.
“The same with us. We all know the potential is here. We have to give the guys belief and back them.
“But you can’t talk things right, we have to work them right,” Human said yesterday.
Looking at the Springboks’ chances in Argentina this weekend,
Human, who played four Tests, said Pumas hooker Augustin Creevy deserved huge respect, but he backed the Bulls’ front row of Trevor Nyakane, Lizo Gqoboka and Schalk Brits to have their say.
“All these years we’ve known about the Argentina scrumming and Creevy is a meneer with all his experience.
“But I’m very proud of our front row. They worked very hard.
“Trevor and Lizo started every game of Super Rugby, so one must feel satisfied with that. On the first day of the season one would not have believed that was possible. So I’m very proud of them.
“That’s where our system had a good impact, they both keep a straight back and attack, which is what I like, and they found their feet quickly.
“They’re not always going to go forward because it’s a team effort, but it’s easy with guys who want to listen, then the scrum is not that complicated,” Human said.